Nigeria’s leading beverage manufacturer, Seven-Up Bottling Company, has unveiled a new Supa Komando TV commercial titled “Fire On Naija,” which has resonated deeply with Nigerians. Featuring brand ambassadors Dotun, the Energy Gad, Cross, Erica, Saskay, and the latest addition, Neo Energy, the commercial conveys a powerful message of hope, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of success, even in the face of challenges.

The “Fire On Naija” TVC launched on July 28, 2024, and has since captured the attention of netizens, who have praised its inspiring message. The TVC encourages Nigerians to conquer their daily struggles and keep pushing forward, much like the journeys of the stars featured in the commercial.

Each ambassador’s story is a testament to perseverance and determination:

• Dotun, the Energy Gad: A celebrated on-air personality and Nigeria’s No. 1 hype man, Dotun’s journey from a childhood passion for radio to a successful career is a reflection of his relentless drive and energy, perfectly embodying the “Fire On Naija” spirit.
• Erica Nlewedim, aka Star Girl Erica: An actress and model, Erica’s unwavering passion for her craft and dedication to her dreams, despite challenges, aligns with the TVC’s message of never giving up until success is achieved.
• Ikechukwu Sunday Cross Okonkwo, aka Cross Da Boss: Known for his charm and charisma, Cross’s determination to succeed as an actor despite his battle with dyslexia is an inspiration, highlighting the resilience celebrated in the TVC.
• Tsakute Ladi Jonah, aka Saskay: Saskay’s journey from facing academic setbacks to earning a degree in Fine Arts and building a multifaceted career serves as a true example of pushing forward against all odds.
• Emuobonuvie Neo Oliseh Akpofure, aka Neo Energy: Neo’s rise from humble beginnings as a cab driver and sketch artist to becoming a sought-after actor and hype man illustrates the incredible power of perseverance and determination.

The “Fire On Naija” TVC by Supa Komando not only showcases these stars’ journeys but also serves as a broader message to Nigerians, encouraging them to keep striving and to believe that dreams can become reality through hard work and dedication.

Nollywood veteran Francis Duru has tragically lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, who would have turned 16 in December 2024. The actor shared the heartbreaking news via an Instagram post on August 8, 2024, posting a picture of his son along with a touching caption: “My champ!! My lion…you fought like a lion…if this is the way He wants it, so be it. I still judge you faithful…Ifeanyi my champ….I will miss you, son….I will forever love you…Rest in peace, son…rest…I give you thanks, Lord!”

Duru also shared his son’s picture on his Instagram story, accompanied by heartbreak emojis, expressing the deep pain and sorrow he feels over the loss.

The news was met with an outpouring of condolences from fellow celebrities, fans, and followers, who took to the comment section to offer their heartfelt sympathy and words of comfort to the grieving family. Many expressed their shock and sadness, with some initially mistaking the post for a birthday celebration before realizing the tragic reality.

One follower wrote, “God. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. May God grant your baby eternal rest, and may he rest in peace 🙏🏾. Ndo!!!” Another commented, “Jesus see me innocently thinking it was a birthday post. Jesus Christ 😢what is this? 💔ahhh,” reflecting the deep sense of loss shared by many.

Ifeanyi’s former schoolmate also expressed his grief, writing, “Ifeanyi, I love you and I will miss u broo. I remember all the times in school. I love u and I promise I will make it for us.”

Rema recently shared his experience of performing in India, where he received overwhelming love and admiration from fans. During an interview with GRM Daily, he spoke about his historic tour across the country and the remarkable treatment he received, especially during his performance at the wedding of the son of India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. While there were rumors that Rema was paid $3 million for the performance, he laughed off the question and chose not to confirm or deny the reports, saying, “Hehehe, that’s all I can say money wise but it was a great treatment.”

Rema expressed his deep appreciation for the Indian fans, noting that the reception he received in India was more intense than what he typically experiences in Nigeria. He reflected on the initial criticism he faced when he first introduced his unique sound, which some people trolled and criticized. However, Rema pointed out that by ignoring the negativity and staying true to his music, he eventually found success, particularly in India.

“Imagine if I stopped and listened to the trolls; four years later, it paid and it paid big and more to come. It’s a huge territory and I’m actually the first person to tour India from the Afrobeats space and it’s a huge deal. It’s not just about the wedding; it’s about the reception everywhere I go,” Rema explained.

He also highlighted the cultural impact of his visit, sharing how his music helped break down racial stereotypes. “I remember when I was touring India, I don’t even know how they know, but when I go anywhere to eat or something, there is paparazzi everywhere. It’s crazier than the love in Nigeria and over the years, I heard a lot about the racism and I’ve spoken to black people in India. But to see the stereotype being taken away through music is beautiful,” Rema concluded.

Rema recently addressed the topic of competing with Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy during an interview with GRM Daily, promoting his sophomore album, HEIS. Despite his rapid rise to fame and success, Rema made it clear that he doesn’t prioritize impressing his colleagues in the industry.

He stated, “Five years ago, I didn’t know these guys (my colleagues). So why would they be my priority?” This highlights his focus on his own journey rather than being concerned with what others think of him.

Rema also touched on the competitive nature of the music industry, comparing it to sports. He emphasized that while there may be intense rivalry on the stage, it doesn’t translate to animosity offstage. “When I put it in terms of lyricism, I always want to keep the sport going… We keep it the Ronaldo way, we keep it the Lebron way. When we are in the match, it’s war. Outside of the match, it’s love.”

Regarding his album HEIS, Rema shared that his goal was to create Afrobeats music that is challenging for foreigners to replicate. He expressed concern over what he perceives as the “dumbing down” of Afrobeats by some artists leading its global expansion, and he aimed to maintain the genre’s authenticity with his work.

Rema recently performed at the high-profile Ambani wedding in India, where he was rumored to have been paid $3 million. When asked about this in the interview, Rema neither confirmed nor denied the claim but instead expressed his deep appreciation for the love and support he has received from Indian fans, noting that they have embraced his music even more than his Nigerian audience.

Legendary Juju singer King Sunny Ade has opened up about his deep and meaningful relationship with the late Onyeka Onwenu. In an interview with QEDng and other media outlets following a condolence visit to Onwenu’s family, Sunny Ade reflected on their bond, describing her as much more than just an ordinary woman.

“She’s not just an ordinary woman; she was someone who would sit down with you and say, ‘Can I chip in some advice?’ and the advice was always correct,” he shared, highlighting her wisdom and the significant impact she had on his life and career.

Sunny Ade fondly reminisced about how Onwenu’s contributions to his music were invaluable. “She used to do more than I did; when it comes to music that people do together, she used to do more. She would tap me and say, ‘Sunny, let’s take it this way,’ and it was always good,” he detailed, emphasizing her active role in their collaborations.

The nation was left in shock when news broke of Onyeka Onwenu’s sudden passing on July 30, 2024. She tragically died after collapsing following a performance at Stella Okoli’s birthday party. Despite being rushed to Reddington Hospital, she sadly did not survive. An eyewitness at the event confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating, “It is very sad. Onyeka Onwenu just performed at the birthday party of Mrs. Stella Okoli today, and after performing, she slumped. She was taken to Reddington Hospital, and she couldn’t make it.”

Rema has opened up about how the early loss of his father and brother profoundly shaped his life and career. In a recent interview with GRMDaily, the Nigerian music sensation shared that these tragedies forced him to grow up quickly, leaving him with little time to experience the carefree aspects of childhood.

He explained, “I feel like I grew up too fast. Life switched up on me crazy when I lost my dad and my brother. It’s just like the weight was on my shoulders, and it forced me to sell my childhood just to provide for my family.” Rema described how this rapid transition into adulthood led to him being constantly surrounded by adults, leaving no space for the typical experiences of his age group.

Reflecting on his journey, Rema said, “With fast fame came fast maturity, and it’s like a never-ending level of seriousness. There were so many adults and so many meetings that I didn’t even roll with my agemates.”

Rema revealed that his new album, *HEIS*, serves as an outlet for him to reconnect with his lost youth. “With this project, I just want to be a child and it’s just coming out. I just want to feel young again and be a rebel again. I just got tired, and I put that freedom in my music,” he explained. The album represents a departure from his previous works, allowing him to recapture the sense of freedom and rebellion he missed out on during his formative years.

In its first week of release, House of Ga’a, directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, made a strong debut on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Chart for Non-English Films, securing the eighth position with over 3 million views in its second week. The film has also maintained its number one spot on the Nigerian Top 10 Chart.

Set in the 18th century Oyo Empire, House of Ga’a tells the gripping story of Ga’a, a power-hungry political figure who orchestrates a series of betrayals to rise to power. Despite being deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition, the film has garnered widespread acclaim for its suspenseful plot and engaging dialogue, appealing to both Yoruba and non-Yoruba speakers alike.

Co-produced with Joseph Umoibom and written by Tunde Babalola, House of Ga’a features an impressive cast, including Femi Branch, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Seun Akindele, Mike Afolarin, and many more notable actors. The film’s blend of historical drama and compelling storytelling has captivated audiences, contributing to its global success on Netflix.

Nigerian music sensation Oxlade is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated debut album, Oxlade From Africa. Known for his impressive vocal talent and string of successful singles, Oxlade has built a reputation as one of the finest vocalists in the Nigerian music scene.

On August 7, 2024, Oxlade took to his social media platforms to announce the release date for his debut album, which is set to drop on September 20, 2024. This album marks a significant milestone in his decade-long career.

In the lead-up to the album, Oxlade has released several singles, including “Piano,” “Katigori,” and “Intoxycated” featuring British rapper Dave in 2023. He also kicked off 2024 with the release of “Arambabi” on August 2nd.

Oxlade’s journey to this point has been marked by resilience and hard work. He gained international recognition in 2022 with the global hit “Kulosa,” which went viral on TikTok and has since amassed over 344 million streams on Spotify, making it one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs on the platform.

While the tracklist for Oxlade From Africa has yet to be revealed, fans are eagerly anticipating some exciting collaborations on the album.

Recently evicted Big Brother Naija housemate, Damilola of the Tami duo, has addressed the misunderstandings about her personality during her brief time in the house. In an interview on *Outsyd by Pulse*, she clarified that her behavior, which included some altercations with fellow housemates, stemmed from her boldness rather than a quarrelsome nature.

When asked about her turbulent week in the house and whether she considered herself quarrelsome or bold, Damilola responded, “I’m just very bold; it’s not me being quarrelsome. I would say that I’m really firm or I have a firm personality, so I’m not quarrelsome.”

She acknowledged that her boldness might not have been well received, leading to her eviction. “It didn’t go well; that’s why I’m out,” she admitted.

Damilola also addressed whether her behavior was part of a strategy or just her natural self. She said, “Before I went into the house, I already said that I was hotheaded and that I’m a crazy person. So if the outside world didn’t see that I was being natural, then it is what it is.”

She felt that she was misunderstood by the housemates, who did not get to see her more positive attributes. “Very much so. Again, I am a firm person, so as much as it seemed to be that I am firm, bold, or quarrelsome, I’m also a very sweet person.”

Damilola emphasized that, despite her firm demeanor, she is selfless and wishes to connect with others. She noted, “When you get close to me, you know that because I just want things to work out fine for everybody. I’m selfless and I just wanted to connect with people and some people were just being unnecessarily mean, but then it is what it is.”

Nollywood actor Patrick Doyle has addressed the recent speculation about his 2023 birthday post, where he expressed unprecedented happiness with his wife, Funmilayo. Doyle clarified that his message was not intended as a dig at anyone else, despite suggestions to the contrary.

In an interview with QEDng, Doyle emphasized that his post, celebrating his joy with Funmilayo, was a genuine reflection of his current contentment. He stated, “I’ve never been happier in my life than with Funmilayo, and I say it with all responsibility. That statement was not just about being in love; it was something I truly meant.”

Doyle expressed frustration over the notion that his happiness might be seen as a slight towards someone else, saying, “For anyone to deem it a slight on another human being, that person must be very low on the food chain of humanity. How can you quarrel with a man’s happiness?”

He further questioned how his current happiness could be misinterpreted as diminishing his past joy, adding, “How does my being happier now negate my happiness of before? I wonder how anybody would have thought that it was a slight on anybody.”

Stella Damasus has urged business owners to avoid projecting their frustrations onto customers. In a video posted on Instagram on August 7, 2024, Damasus emphasized the importance of treating customers with respect, regardless of personal challenges or dissatisfaction with one’s job.

Speaking in pidgin English, she appealed to business owners to remain courteous and professional, noting that customers should not be punished for the difficulties faced by the service providers. She highlighted that one never knows who might offer help in the future and that maintaining a positive attitude can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Damasus shared her personal experience, noting that she values long-term staff who treat customers well and have been rewarded with better opportunities as a result. She encouraged everyone to approach their work with sincerity and kindness, as it can impact future prospects positively.

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has responded to criticism following her comments on the nationwide protests. In an Instagram post on August 7, 2024, Daniels, dressed conservatively, addressed the escalating violence in northern Nigeria. She highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting the hoisting of foreign flags as a sign of the unrest’s severity and urging vigilance.

Daniels clarified that her statements were not made on behalf of the government nor were they meant to garner public sympathy. She also addressed concerns that her privileged position as the wife of a senator influenced her views, emphasizing her commitment to speaking out against violence regardless of her personal status.